A Sheerwater resident has appealed for consideration between users of the Basingstoke Canal towpath after a speeding cyclist allegedly threatened to kill him and his family.

The 63-year-old man, who asked not to be named, said he was walking with two dogs along the towpath at around 8.30am on Thursday August 20, when one of the animals came out from a bush and into the path of the "racing" cyclist.

“He came to a sliding halt and then he just started swearing at me,” said the man.

“He told me to control my dog, and I explained that the towpath was not a racetrack.

“I said it was used by young mothers and children and that he should slow down.

“We had probably been talking for no more than 20 seconds and then he said ‘I will find where you live and murder you and your entire family’.

“I was stunned. My first thought was for my family.”

The alleged incident took place halfway between Sheerwater Road and the West Byfleet Lock Cottages, with the cyclist heading from west to east.

The walker later reported the matter to Surrey Police, but was told it was unlikely they would be able to do anything about it.

He described the cyclist as a white male probably in his mid-20s, of medium height and slim build.

The cyclist was reportedly wearing red and white Lycra gear and had been riding an "expensive-looking, off road-type bike with straight handlebars".

Dog 'put down'

The man said: “I want to get the message out to as many people so hopefully the young man knows that this sort of threat is taken very seriously by the police and hopefully someone who reads this may know who he is.”

He added that the cyclist may have been travelling to work in the Byfleet and West Byfleet area, or in Brooklands or Weybridge.

He said: “Most of the cyclists on the towpath are ambling along.

“This person was really racing along. I think sometimes these people try to time themselves.”

The canal towpath is popular with walkers and dog walkers, many of whom allow their dogs off the lead.

Parts of it have undergone improvement works in recent years and the surface has improved, which may be encouraging an increase in speed cycling, according to the victim.

“You notice it more and more, it’s becoming much more of an issue,” he said.

“A couple of years ago a neighbour’s dog had his ribs broken after being crashed into by a bike.”